A/N: Neville gets his dance with Hermione at the Yule Ball. I've decided to write a second chapter to this story. Since then, I've now thought that they could be cute together (though a lot would have to change for it to work out).

Submission for:

Countdown to Christmas Drabble/Oneshot Competition!: Day 23 - Yule Ball

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

It was late and most of the guests to the Yule Ball had already headed back up to their common rooms, leaving a few of the older students and the professors in the snow-covered Great Hall. Neville himself was ready to head as well. The night started out nice until halfway through, Ginny began talking to a Ravenclaw boy, and let him escort her back to the Gryffindor Common Room. If Neville were braver, he may have stepped in, politely explained that he had come to the Ball with Ginny and if anyone was going to take her back to the Common Room, it would be him. But Neville had done none of that. He stood there, with two cups of punch in hand, as Ginny giggled and then followed the tall boy out of the Hall.

Neville began walking towards the large wooden doors, his hands in his pocket and his outer robe slung over his shoulder, when he looked to his right to see Hermione sitting at one of the tables. She had a slightly pained expression on her face as she massaged her stockinged feet carefully, but she would often look at the magical winterland of the room. He had wanted to dance with her all night but unfortunately, she had spent most of the time twirling in the arms of her date, Viktor Krum. She looked so happy, carefree, beautiful and Neville didn't want to impose.

But now she was alone and Neville decided it was time to man up and take a chance.

He approached her confidently and said, "Hello, Hermione."

She looked up at him and dropped her feet. "Hello, Neville," she said with a smile. "Did you have a good time?"

Neville gave her a non-committal shrug, not wanting to burden her with his feelings, and asked, "You?"

She gestured down at her feet, "I've been dancing all night in these shoes and now my feet feel like they're going to fall off."

Neville smiled and then looked about. "Where's your date?" he asked.

"He had to go the loo," Hermione answered.

Neville took a deep breath. No date. He looked about and saw Harry and Ron sulking on the other side of the Hall, as they had been all night. No friends.

He looked at Hermione and held out his hand. "I've been trying to talk to you all night but you were always so busy. Now that you're alone, can I have this dance?"

Hermione's mouth fell open wordlessly as she looked from Neville's outstretched palm to his face. "But it's okay if your feet are aching too badly. I understand-" he began, pulling his hand away slightly.

But Hermione grabbed it and stood up, her head reaching the top of his shoulders without her shoes and said, "I'd love to, Neville."

Neville grinned and then led her onto the mostly empty dance-floor. She placed her hand on his shoulder as he put one on her waist and they swayed in time to the music, Neville careful not to step on her toes.

He hadn't been able to take Hermione to the dance himself, but he had gotten a dance with her. If this was all he could get, he would take it. Anything to be close to her.